Electrical connecter



A. B. DIBNER TRICAL CONNE Aug. 23, 1932.

CTER

Filed July 16, 1951 Patented Aug. 23, 1932 PATENT OFFICE ABRAHAM BERNARD DIBNECR, OF FIEEKSKILL, NEW YORK ELECTRICAL CONNECTER Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to connecters for electrical conductors and the like. An ob ect ofthis invention is a highly efiicient inexpensive connector of simple construction which will firmly clamp together wires, cables-and the like in fixed relation and in electrical con tact, prevent relative movement of the clamped members and compensate for any tensional stress applied thereto.

19 An embodiment of the invention comprises a U-shaped member having its legs exteriorly threaded to receive a nut. The nut is provided with a follower which is adapted to cooperate with the bridge of the U-shaped member to clamp together conductors arranged in the slot of the U-shaped member. The follower is rotatably mounted in the bore of the nut and is of proper width to slide between the legs of the U. The follower is provided with a pair of tabs engaging the opposite ends of the nut and preventing longitudinal movement of the follower relative to the nut. The tabs at the far end of the follower are long enough merely to engage the end of the nut and do not project beyond the faces of the nut. The tabs at the inner end of the follower are of suflicient length to extend beyond the faces of the nut and are foldable into engagement with the faces to prevent relative rotation of the nut and follower. On the end of the follower, facing the bridge, there is provided a groove in which one of the. conductors seats so that maximum contact is provided between the 15 follower and the conductor. Also, the cooperating faces of the bridge and follower are correspondingly curved in the longitudinal direction of the conductors, so that a slight kink is formed in the conductors, thus 0 holding the same more securely. The legs are provided with flat faces adjacent the bridge of the U to provide areas for the engagement of a tool such as a wrench for bolding the U-shaped member rigidly while the nut is being rotated to bring the follower into clamped relation. As the tabs at the outer end of the follower do not project beyond the faces of the nut, they in no way interfere with the use of a socket or other wrench for tightening the nut. Normally, the tabs at 1931. Serial No. 551,077.

the inner end of the follower project parallel to the conductors but after the follower has been firmly clamped against the conductors, these tabs are folded over the faces of the nut to lock the same against rotation.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanyin drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the connecter in use to clamp together two conductors;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; 3 Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the follower.

The connecter comprises a U-shaped member 10 having parallel legs 11 of segmental cross section, these legs being exteriorly threaded and having fiat parallel inner faces. A nut 12 is threaded on the legs 11 and rotatably. supports a follower 13. This follower comprises a body portion, the width of which is slightly less than the bore of the nut 12 and the thickness of which is slightly less than the width of'the slot between the legs 11. The body portion is arranged within the bore of the nut and is provided at its outer end with tabs 14 and at its inner end with tabs 15. Before the followeris assembled so with the nut, the tabs 14 extend longitudinally as shown in Fig. 5 and the tabs 15 extend laterally also as shown in Fig. 5. The follower is inserted in the nut and the tabs 15 brought into engagement with one end of 35 the nut after which the tabs 14 are bent outwardly into engagement with the other end of the nut (see Fig. 4). The follower is thus held in the nut against longitudinal movement relative to the same and free relative movement between the nut and follower is permitted. The tabs 14 when bent into the position shown in Fig. 4 lie within the periphery of the nut so that they do not interfere with tlie use of a socket wrench in tightening the nut. The inner end of the follower is provided with a groove 16 in which one of the conductors seats as shown in Fig. 3, thus providing a large area of contact between the conductor and the follower. The

bridge of the U-shaped member 10 is of slightly greater width than the legs in the direction of the conductors, so as to provide a large contact area with the conductor. The cooperating faces of the follower and bridge are bowed slightly as clearly shown in Fig. 4 so that when. the follower is in clamping position the conductors are slightly kinked, thus firmly clamping the same. The legs of the U-shaped member are provided with flat surfaces 17 near the bridge to permit the use of a wrench or other tool for firmly holding the connecter while the nut is being threaded on the lugs. The contact surfaces on the follower and bridge may be knurled to provide better contact and mechanical grip with the conductors.

In the use of this connecter, two cables, wires or other conductors 18 are arranged in the slot of the U-shaped member, one of the conductors being in contact with the inner surfaceof the bridge and the second conductor resting on the first conductor. The nut and follower are then assembled with the U-shaped member, the nut being screwed on to the legs withthe follower arranged in the slot. The nut is screwed down until the conductors are firmly clamped between the bridge of the U-shaped member and the follower. The tabs 15 are then folded into contact with the faces of the nut to lock the same against rotation. During this operation, the U-shaped member may be firmly held by a wrench engaging the surfaces 17 and the nut may be rotated by means of a socket wrench, this being possible since the tabs 14 do not exceed the periphery of the nuts.

The U-shaped member preferably is formed from a flat bla'nk of segmental cross section by bending the blank into the form of a U and then providing threads on the legs either by die stamping or by cutting the same with a rotating die. The process of forming the U-shaped member is de: scribed in detail and claimed in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 561,356,

' filed September. 5, 1931.

It is of course to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure above described, without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a U-shaped member having legs segmental in cross section, a nut threaded on said legs, a follower arranged between said legs and adapted to cooperate with the bridge of the U-shaped member to clamp conductors, said follower comprising a solid shank portion arranged in the bore of the nut and a solid head portion integral with said shank portion and overlying the end of the nut facin the bridge of the body member, integral ta s extending from said shank portion and engaging the remaining end of the nut to connect the nut and follower for free rotation, tabs extending from the ends of said head portion, said tabs being foldable into contact with the sides of the nut to lock the same against rotation, and a groove in said head portion facing said bridge, said groove and bridge being correspondingly curved lengthwise to offset wires clamped between them.

2. A device of the character described comprising a U-shaped member having its bridge portion of greater size than the legs, said legs being segmental in cross section and exteriorly threaded, a nut rotatably mounted on said legs, a follower arranged between said legs and having a shank portion lying within the nut and a head portion integral with said shank portion and overlying the end of the nut facing the bridge of the body member, integral tabs extending from said shank portion and engaging the remaining end of the nut to connect the nut and follower for free rotation, tabs integral with said shank portion, said tabs being foldable into contact with the sides of the nut to lock the same against rotation, the bridge of said U-shaped member having flat surfaces for use in holding said member against rotation, and a groove in the head portion facing the bridge of the U-shaped member, said groove and bridge portion being correspondingly curved longitudinally to offset portions of conductors clamped between the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ABRAHAM BERNARD DIBNER. 

